Sorry about the thread title...when I read it now it sounds kinda dirty.We've been looking for a 5er in the 33-36 ft range. There is just the two of us and I'm accustomed to pulling a 33 ft TT, so I'm comfortable in that length. Have a chance to get a Big Country 3650RL for a really good price, which comes in at 39' 5", and I'm starting to think "another 3 1/2 feet, So what?"For all of you 5er veterans out there, at what point do you go from pulling a trailer to feeling like you've got about a million feet of trailer behind you? I'm sure it's different for everyone.

it took me about 3 trips to become really comfortable after we bought our 38ft 5th wheel. We do pay attention to whether or not a campground/RV park is big rig friendly or not.I did have to drive backwards on a campground loop to get to a site at one campground with permission from the ranger. This was necessary because the correct route had too tight of a turn to get to our assigned site.

We started out with a Titanium that was 26 pin to bumper and 32 overall then went to a 38' Montana. As was posted above, didn't take more than a couple trips to get comfortable with the length. Just make sure you remember the "rear wheel cheat" factor on all turns.

Everyone is going to have a different answer depending on where they camp. For me a 34' 5th wheel is about all my favorite places can handle safely. Also at the limit of my driveway legally so longer is a deal breaker. Going down the road I doubt a 30 to 40 foot rig is any easier/harder to operate. Its that last 5 minutes backing into sites that is going to make/break your day.

With the pivot point being farther forward, it really will be a wash for the overall length. That is if your increasing by about 3' or so... To me, the feel of towing a fiver vs towing a TT is no comparison and will not go back to a TT.. The fivers tow that much nicer..Of course, all the above is my opinion only...

Anything over 43 feet, my front TV bumper to my rear TT bumper, seems big to me. And more importantly gets me into practically every campground...the key for me.

At what point does length cease to matter? | Good Sam Community

30 Replies

Me_Again
Explorer III
Jan 27, 2017
We towed a 31" OAL 5th wheel for 12 years. Our new trailer is 39'4" and the truck is bigger also(only tow old trailer one year with new truck). The biggest issue I have seen is fueling the diesel truck while the trailer is in tow, getting in and out of shopping malls, Walmarts and drive in restaurants. Camping sites have not been an issue.

Out on the highway length is not an issue. Click "Our rig" in signature. Chris
laknox
Nomad
Jan 27, 2017
dd992emo wrote:
Sorry about the thread title...when I read it now it sounds kinda dirty.

We've been looking for a 5er in the 33-36 ft range. There is just the two of us and I'm accustomed to pulling a 33 ft TT, so I'm comfortable in that length. Have a chance to get a Big Country 3650RL for a really good price, which comes in at 39' 5", and I'm starting to think "another 3 1/2 feet, So what?"

For all of you 5er veterans out there, at what point do you go from pulling a trailer to feeling like you've got about a million feet of trailer behind you? I'm sure it's different for everyone.

If the price is truly excellent, and there's no reason you can't beat up the seller a bit more, go for it. Use it for 1-2 years, then decide if it's too much or not enough for your tastes. You'll lose money when you sell it, but consider it "rent" and "education fees" for the one you =really= want. :-) If it's "just right", then keep it until you need a change a few years down the road.

Lyle
Durb
Explorer
Jan 27, 2017
Like probably most people on this forum we still attend the RV show even though we are perfectly happy with our rig. I look at some of the models and think this is really nice but no way do I want to be toting something that big around. Someday I would like to tow a really long 5er just to allay my fears.

Add 4' to your current trailer and a 37' 5er would have the same OAL tow length with your truck. 39 1/2 ft. would be just 15 inches more on each side of the axles. How is that for rationalization?
bighog01
Explorer
Jan 27, 2017
Exactly what jayco-noslide said...length doesn't matter. It's about height, getting it under trees etc, the weight and maneuverability in some of these tight campgrounds. Our TH is 43'.
Jayco-noslide
Explorer
Jan 27, 2017
To me length matters in many ways I won't try to go into again. I'll just say it isn't just about driving it down the road. It's weight, fuel, maneuveability, backing, getting campsites and more.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jan 27, 2017
Anything over 43 feet, my front TV bumper to my rear TT bumper, seems big to me. And more importantly gets me into practically every campground...the key for me.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Jan 26, 2017
With the pivot point being farther forward, it really will be a wash for the overall length. That is if your increasing by about 3' or so...

To me, the feel of towing a fiver vs towing a TT is no comparison and will not go back to a TT.. The fivers tow that much nicer..

Of course, all the above is my opinion only...
FLY_4_FUN
Explorer
Jan 26, 2017
Everyone is going to have a different answer depending on where they camp. For me a 34' 5th wheel is about all my favorite places can handle safely. Also at the limit of my driveway legally so longer is a deal breaker. Going down the road I doubt a 30 to 40 foot rig is any easier/harder to operate. Its that last 5 minutes backing into sites that is going to make/break your day.
JohnG3
Explorer II
Jan 26, 2017
We started out with a Titanium that was 26 pin to bumper and 32 overall then went to a 38' Montana. As was posted above, didn't take more than a couple trips to get comfortable with the length. Just make sure you remember the "rear wheel cheat" factor on all turns.
the_bear_II
Explorer
Jan 26, 2017
it took me about 3 trips to become really comfortable after we bought our 38ft 5th wheel. We do pay attention to whether or not a campground/RV park is big rig friendly or not.

I did have to drive backwards on a campground loop to get to a site at one campground with permission from the ranger. This was necessary because the correct route had too tight of a turn to get to our assigned site.

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At what point does length cease to matter?

30 Replies

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